What happened
On 8 April 2011, a Cessna 150M, registration G-BSYV, was conducting a private local flight when the pilot attempted to land on Runway 26 at Fenland Airfield, Lincolnshire. The weather conditions at the time were characterized by calm winds and good visibility. During the landing sequence, the aircraft made contact with the runway with significant force on the nosewheel. This heavy touchdown was followed by the aircraft bouncing back into the air. Following this bounce, the pilot considered performing a go-around but ultimately proceeded with the landing.
Upon the second touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed. This failure caused the propeller to strike the runway surface and led the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway before coming to a complete stop. The impact resulted in damage to the nosewheel, propeller, firewall, engine, and a fuel pipe.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the pilot's actions during the flare and touchdown. The investigation established that the aircraft landed heavily on the nosewheel. The pilot noted that the heavy impact and the subsequent bounce were likely the result of initiating the flare too early during the approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the nosewheel collapse was a heavy landing on the nosewheel.
- The pilot's decision to flare the aircraft too early contributed to the high-impact touchdown.
- There were no injuries to the pilot during the incident.